Odisha Congress To Hold Bhubaneswar-Puri Sankalpa Padayatra As PCC Chief Revokes Leaders’ Suspension, Expulsion

Bhubaneswar: Newly appointed Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Bhakta Charan Das has initiated steps to rejuvenate the party and decided to hold ‘Sankalpa Padayatra’ from Bhubaneswar to Puri.

In another significant move, the new PCC chief also revoked all orders of suspension and expulsion of issued against leaders due to various reasons in the past. Das also appealed to the leaders who have quit Congress to return to the party fold. The PCC president further stated that other leaders who have faith in the principles and ideology of Congress can also join the party.

The proposed Sankalpa Padayatra will be held on February 18 from the Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) in Bhubaneswar to the pilgrim town as part of efforts to reconnect with old party leaders and workers and strengthen its grassroots presence.

The PCC president has formed a special committee, chaired by former MLA Debasis Pattnaik, to ensure the rally’s success. The padyatra will cover the route from Bhubaneswar Airport to Shree Jagannath temple in Puri.

A 16-member coordination committee will oversee the event. This is the first committee that Bhakta Das has formed after being appointed as the president of OPCC on February 11.

“My aim is not to become the Chief Minister of Odisha but to strengthen the Congress party and win the hearts and minds of the people,” Bhakta Das had said after being chosen by the high command to lead the party in Odisha.

Following is the list of the members of the committee formed to coordinate the Sankalpa Padayatra:

• Dr Debasis Pattnaik ex MLA – Chairman
• Mohammed Moquim – Ex MLA
• Ramesh Jena – MLA
• Dasrathi Gomanga- MLA
• CS Raazen Ekka-MLA
• Kadraka Appala Swamy-MLA
• Ashok Kumar Das- MLA
• Uma Ballav Rath
• Navajyoti Pattnaik
• Meenakshi Bahinipati
• Biswajit Dash
• Biswa Bhushan Das
• Manoj Jena
• Ranjeet Patra
• Yasir Nawaz
• Udit Narayan Pradhan